hope

As i've mentioned before- our pastor is leading a series at church called "Our Hope in Difficult Times". It's been an awesome time for the congregation to hear it, with the economy and everything else that's gone on in 2009. Here are a few gems I like that I wrote down from the service this past Sunday. I hope you can find some encouragement, as I did.


(All of these points come from Luke 12:22-34...English Standard Version (ESV))


1. God will provide the necessities of life.
"Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!" Luke 12:24


2. Worry is only an indication of our selfish nature.
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest" Luke 12:25-26


3. When you worry, you offend God with disbelief.
"But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" Luke 12:28


4. It is dishonoring God to be anxious.
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest" Luke 12:25-26


5. Our value is in who we belong to and not in ourselves.
"Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you." Luke 12:31


6. He is my Heavenly Father and that is enough.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful --Hebrews 10:23